Names, Greek glosses and etymology

Use in the book

On 56r, scan 139, the author calls the three classes of natural spirits families and supplies a Greek expression provisionally read as οἰκίας. The term belongs to an arrangement whose Egyptian origin the writer asserts. Its role in that arrangement is clear even though the Greek should not be treated as a grammatical model for the whole sentence.

On 70r, scan 167, the difficult argument about incorruptible bodies and suffering includes διαφτορα beside corruption. The companion edition follows the explicit French gloss and qualifies the spelling. Three sides later the mixed sequence αληθεia is glossed as truth amid an appeal to quicksilver’s sensible evidence. These words intensify the author’s explanatory claim; their presence is not independent proof of the natural claims surrounding them.¹⁴

On 73v, scan 174, a partly legible Greek sequence accompanies the derivation of Hermetic science from Hermes, identified with Mercury. The French explanation is secure enough to report. The intervening Greek is retained as uncertain rather than completed from an expected etymology.

On 98r, scan 229, the writer explains androgyne through ανδρος γηνος, called the Greek names of man and woman. The second expression is irregular in relation to the explanation. The surrounding prose supplies the intended conjunction of male and female powers, then expands it into peace between hot and cold, dry and moist. The material interpretation does not depend upon making the Greek standard.¹⁵

On 98v, scan 230, υπομαχια is glossed as mounted combat. That local sense introduces the white, red, and black horsemen. On 100v, scan 234, the etymology of Pegasus accompanies the uncertain sequence αποτηςπεγης. Wings are expressly interpreted as greater speed, and the writer immediately specifies mercurial spirits called winds, vapors, or clouds. This last explanation is a firmer guide to the passage’s physical reading than an unmarked reconstruction of the letters.

Taken together, these examples show how names mediate between fable, operation, and doctrine. Their usefulness lies in a stated relation within the book. A lexicon can preserve that relation while allowing an irregular spelling, an uncertain transcription, or an unverified derivation to remain visible.

Places to read

1. Manuscript 56r · Scan 139Families names the three classes of natural spirits beside a Greek expression.
2. Manuscript 70r · Scan 167A Greek sequence is expressly glossed as corruption.
3. Manuscript 71v · Scan 170A mixed Greek and Latin-letter sequence is glossed as truth.
4. Manuscript 73v · Scan 174The derivation through Hermes includes partly legible Greek.
5. Manuscript 98r · Scan 229Androgyne introduces the conjunction of male and female powers.
6. Manuscript 98v · Scan 230Mounted combat introduces the three horsemen.
7. Manuscript 100v · Scan 234The Pegasus etymology leads to the speed of mercurial spirits.

Translation

French glosses such as corruption and truth are translated plainly. The English transliterations diaphthora, alētheia, and andros gēnos identify the readings being discussed; the notes retain the source’s spelling problems. They should not be read as a claim that every source sequence is standard Greek.

The partly legible expression at scan 174 remains marked as such. The Pegasus reading is qualified in the companion apparatus. Where the French expressly provides a sense—mounted combat, for example—that sense explains the local image without silently repairing the source word.

noms grecs

Attested: H001-S229. The source calls the two expressions the Greek names of man and woman.

étymologie

Attested: H001-S234. The derivation of Pegasus precedes the explanation of mercurial speed.

signifie

Attested: H001-S174. Hermes is explained as signifying Mercury.